Nelson: MacDill unit hid millions

[Tony_FLADEM]

TAMPA - The Special Operations Command hid $20-million from Congress three years ago at the request of the Pentagon, Sen. Bill Nelson confirmed Tuesday as he demanded an investigation by the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Florida Democrat, who has monitored the case as a member of the committee, said the Pentagon, "with SOCom's complicity, created a slush fund from which to draw funds for purposes and in amounts that they intended to hide from the Congress and the people."

SOCom is based at MacDill Air Force Base and oversees the nation's secret commandos.

The Pentagon inspector general just completed a two-year investigation and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa did not file charges. A second case, involving $25-million in hidden funds at SOCom, was not mentioned in the Pentagon report.